Puchala chairs National Mediation Board for third time

Linda Puchala has taken the reins as the National Mediation Board's (NMB) chair for a third time. She succeeded Harry Hoglander in the post on July 1.

Hoglander will continue to serve as a board member and one board position remains vacant. Established by the Railway Labor Act, the NMB governs labor-management relations in the rail and airline industries.

Puchala most recently chaired the NMB from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012. Prior to becoming a board member in 2009, she served the NMB for 10 years as a mediator, senior mediator and associate director of alternative dispute resolution services.

Puchala has more than 40 years of labor relations experience and previously was the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and staff director for the Michigan State Employees Association.